Asif Rashid, chairman of the Reading Taxi Association who was commenting on the report at the traffic management committee on Tuesday, March 8, pointed out many drivers went off to prayers around 1pm or 2pm on a Friday.

Mr Rashid raised concerns about the future of the busiest rank - The Horseshoe serving Reading Station from Garrard Street.

The rank will have to move when that part of the Station Hill redevelopment goes ahead.

Mr Rashid said: “There is no alternative to that rank so there will be issues.”

At the peak on Saturday, October 17, at The Horseshoe, when the survey was carried out, there were 2,582 passengers observed and 1,509 tax departures with 70 passengers having to wait for a taxi to arrive.

The rank was graded with a fair to excellent turnover. Most other ranks were graded fair, but the Royal Berkshire Hospital rank was given a “poor” rating.

Cllr Jeanette Skeats, leader of the Conservative group on the council, said she would like to see a recognition of the growth in the number of passengers by allowing two new licences a year.

However, the committee voted in favour of keeping the present number of hackney carriage licences and not issuing any more.